An Interdisciplinary History of Writing

How has writing shaped human societies and cultures and how have these, in turn, adapted
writing to their needs?
Research on written artefacts (such as manuscripts and inscriptions) is not all about the contents of texts. It begins with the physical object itself, be it a Mesopotamian clay tablet with cuneiform writing, an ancient rock inscription, an Indian palm-leaf manuscript, or a legal document written on parchment in medieval Europe. At this summer school, students investigate the composition of writing supports, ingredients of inks, and the binding of a codex. They also learn about the circumstances of the production, use and re-use, and the attribution of certain qualities or powers to a manuscript or other written artefacts.
The course takes a global and comparative approach and is characterized by the cooperation between the humanities and the natural and computer sciences.

Course leader

This summer school is taught by an international team of leading scholars from the humanities, natural sciences, and computer sciences. For further information about the teaching team, please visit the course website.

Target group

- Students from the humanities, the natural sciences, or computer sciences with an interest in research on written artefacts (such as manuscripts and inscriptions). Students should be enrolled at least in their 2nd year of a BA/BSc programme or in MA/MSc programmes
- Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers

Course aim

Participants are introduced to selected areas of an interdisciplinary research environment, learn how to cooperate in multi-national interdisciplinary teams and present their results to heterogeneous groups. They will study various research objects with methods from the natural sciences and computer sciences, but also from the perspective of the humanities.

Credits info

4 EC
If a grade is needed, participants should mention this in their application.

Fee info

EUR 320: The fee for the summer school includes

- participation in all lectures, entrance fees to museums and sites visited during the programme, and materials used during the summer school
- A public transport pass for Hamburg/Germany for the duration of the summer school ('Deutschland-Ticket')
- Lunches at the student canteen/cafeteria (Mensa)
- Accommodation in a hostel (shared rooms) including breakfast from 16 to 29 July 2023

What is not included?

All participants have to organize and pay by themselves for

- Sufficient health insurance coverage (prices vary)
- The visa application, if applicable (around 80 €)
- Any meals not included in the programme (breakfast and lunch are provided)
- Accommodation other than the shared rooms pre-booked in the hostel (if desired)

Scholarships

Fee waivers and financial aid for travel costs is available (please see website for further information)